_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1981017 (210)

Home Browse Search

Mine 4 Reclamation. Reclamation of the Mine 4 area consisted of reclaiming the mine entry area as well as reclamation of the coal loadout area, located approximately 200 feet vertically below the mine entries, and the conveyor corridor that connected these two areas. Previous to the DRMS reclamation work, a structural demolition company employed by Mid Continent Resources sealed the mine entries, and removed all of the metallic debris from the area. All non-metallic structures, foundations and channels were left in-place for DRMS contractors to demolish and remove. Reclamation work consisted of structural demolition, backfilling and grading, drainage manipulation and revegetation work. Numerous remnant buildings, foundations and beltline foundations were left at the site. All concrete materials were demolished to below ground surface level. The rubble generated at the mine entry area was preferentially placed within the open portions of the mine entries, outby the seals. Excess concrete was placed against the highwall at the entry area. The highwall and the loadout cut slope were backfilled with earthen materials generated on site. Material from the north facing Mine Bench Outslope was excavated to generate fill material. The slopes located below the loadout bench were excavated to generate fill material for that area. The entire area was graded to establish appropriate surface water runoff characteristics. No topsoil was available to support revegetation efforts, so the in-place earthen materials were amended with straw mulch and fertilizer, which were cut into the dirt using a dozer. The area was then revegetated using a U. S. Forest Service approved seed mixture. An attempt was made to stabilize a small portion of the steep slopes below the east facing side of the mine entries and the fill slopes located above Road C, below the Mine 4 bench, by revegetating them. These areas were hand roughened, and a bonded fiber matrix blanket was applied to the slope. At the time that this work was completed, Mid Continent Resources owned the property at Mine 4. Subsequent to completion of the reclamation work, the U.S. Forest Service acquired the property. Waste Piles Proiect. The Sutey Refuse Disposal Area and a portion of the Old Refuse Disposal Area were reclaimed during this project. Mid Continent Resources had previously reclaimed portions of each facility; however,the majority of the Sutey Disposal Area had not yet been reclaimed. Conversely, only a small portion of the Old Refuse Pile required further work. Reclamation of the Sutey Disposal Area consisted of demolishing a series of concrete conveyor belt foundations, grading of the coal refuse to achieve a stable landform, application of twenty inches of topsoil, construction of a run-on diversion ditch and five run-off conveyance ditches, and seed, fertilizer and mulch application. Additionally, areas adjacent to the refuse pile were also reclaimed. These areas included two former topsoil stockpile areas and another area cleared of vegetation. 5